移动通信网 程然
美国国家航空航天局(NASA)近日发布了国际空间站拍摄的地球夜景影像,画面中清晰呈现出地球夜面上的城市灯光与大气辉光。这一影像来自国际空间站宇航员在轨道上长期驻留期间的持续观测工作,从约 400 公里的轨道高度俯瞰地球夜面,为公众和科研人员提供了独特的太空视角。作为 NASA“每日图片”系列的最新内容,该影像发布后引发广泛关注。
需要说明的是,本次素材为 NASA 官网的导航页面抓取内容,并未包含影像的完整说明文字,以下报道基于 NASA 相关公开信息与空间站观测项目的背景资料整理。
太空视角下的地球之夜:观测价值几何
国际空间站每约 90 分钟绕地球一圈,宇航员在轨期间可俯瞰地球昼夜交替的全过程。空间站拍摄的夜景影像直观呈现了城市群的灯光分布,这些灯光不仅是视觉素材,更是研究人类活动空间分布的重要数据来源。NASA 长期通过宇航员摄影项目( Crew Earth Observations )积累此类影像,用于支持城市扩张、电力消耗与区域经济发展等多维度研究。
从遥感角度看,夜间灯光数据是衡量区域经济活跃度的间接指标。除了宇航员手持与固定机位拍摄,专用传感器获取的夜间灯光数据已被广泛用于城市化进程分析、灾害评估与能源研究。空间站影像因其灵活的拍摄角度与时间窗口,可与卫星数据形成互补,为地球观测体系提供补充视角。
【关键数据】
- 影像来源: 国际空间站宇航员拍摄
- 发布机构: NASA
- 空间站轨道高度: 约 400 公里(空间站长期运行轨道)
- 绕地周期: 约 90 分钟一圈,每圈可见一次日出日落
观测背后的通信技术支撑
空间站影像能够实时回传地面,离不开空间通信网络的支撑。国际空间站通过 NASA 的跟踪与数据中继卫星系统(TDRSS)与地面站保持高速数据链路,大量高分辨率影像与科学数据经由该体系下传。随着低轨卫星通信与激光链路技术的演进,未来空间站及各类对地观测平台的数据回传能力还将进一步提升,这也与当前 5G/6G 研究中“空天地一体化网络”的技术方向形成呼应——非地面节点(NTN)正逐步纳入新一代通信标准的核心议题。
从这一角度看,一张地球夜景照片背后,是成像、存储、中继传输、地面处理与分发的完整技术链条。对通信行业而言,空间观测数据的持续增长,也在推动空间通信带宽与组网能力的持续升级。
从观景到应用:对地观测的长期价值
NASA 近期动态密集,除该夜景影像外,其 Crew-13 商业载人任务、DAVINCI 金星探测器的热防护测试以及哈勃望远镜对超新星的持续追踪均在推进中。在地球观测领域,空间站作为长期有人驻留的平台,其观测的连续性与灵活性仍难以被纯卫星系统替代。
对公众而言,这类影像是理解地球系统的一扇窗口;对科研与产业界而言,夜间灯光等观测数据则持续服务于城市规划、能源研究与经济分析。在空天地一体化通信网络推进过程中,空间平台产生的观测数据规模将继续扩大,相应的数据传输与处理需求,也将成为通信技术演进的驱动因素之一。
出处:Space Station View of Earth at Night
英文原文[](https://www.nasa.gov/)
* Explore
Search
[](https://www.nasa.gov/)
* News & Events
### [News & Events](https://www.nasa.gov/news/)
* [News Releases](https://www.nasa.gov/2026-news-releases/)
* [Recently Published](https://www.nasa.gov/news/recently-published/)
* [Video Series on NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/series/)
* [Podcasts & Audio](https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts-and-audio/)
* [Blogs](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-blogs/)
* [Newsletters](https://www.nasa.gov/newsletters/)
* [Social Media](https://www.nasa.gov/social-media/)
* [Media Resources](https://www.nasa.gov/news/media-contacts/)
* [Events](https://www.nasa.gov/events)
* [Upcoming Launches & Landings](https://www.nasa.gov/event-type/launch-schedule/)
* [Virtual Guest Program](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-virtual-guest-program/)
* Multimedia
### [Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/)
* [NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/)
* [Images](https://www.nasa.gov/images/)
* [NASA Live](https://www.nasa.gov/live)
* [NASA Apps](https://www.nasa.gov/apps/)
* [Podcasts](https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/)
* [Image of the Day](https://www.nasa.gov/image-of-the-day/)
* [e-Books](https://www.nasa.gov/ebooks/)
* [3D Resources](https://science.nasa.gov/3d-resources/)
* [Interactives](https://www.nasa.gov/interactives/)
* [STEM Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/search/?terms=8058%2C8059%2C8061%2C8062%2C8068)
* [NASA Brand & Usage Guidelines](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/)
* [NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/)
Search
## Suggested Searches
* [Climate Change](https://www.nasa.gov/?search=Climate%20Change)
* [Artemis](https://www.nasa.gov/?search=Artemis)
* [Expedition 64](https://www.nasa.gov/?search=Expedition%2064)
* [Mars perseverance](https://www.nasa.gov/?search=Mars%20perseverance)
* [SpaceX Crew-2](https://www.nasa.gov/?search=SpaceX%20Crew-2)
* [International Space Station](https://www.nasa.gov/?search=International%20Space%20Station)
* [View All Topics A-Z](https://www.nasa.gov/a-to-z-topics-listing/)
* [Home](https://www.nasa.gov/)
* [Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-missions/)
* [Humans in Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/)
* [Earth](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/)
* [The Solar System](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/)
* [The Universe](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/)
* [Science](https://science.nasa.gov/)
* [Aeronautics](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/)
* [Technology](https://www.nasa.gov/technology/)
* [Learning Resources](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/)
* [About NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/about/)
* [Espa?ol](https://www.nasa.gov/es/)
* * *
* [News & Events](https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/space-station-view-of-earth-at-night/#)
* [Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/space-station-view-of-earth-at-night/#)
* [NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/)
### Featured
[ 6 min read ### What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 Mission article 6 hours ago](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/commercial-crew/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-spacex-crew-13-mission/)[ 3 min read ### NASA’s DAVINCI Beats Heat in Preparation for Blistering Venus Descent article 4 days ago](https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/davinci/2026/09/24/nasas-davinci-beats-heat-in-preparation-for-blistering-venus-descent/)[ 1 min read ### NASA’s Hubble Telescope Reaches Milestone, Looks for Elusive Supernova article 5 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/image-article/nasas-hubble-telescope-reaches-milestone-looks-for-elusive-supernova/)
Back
* * *
### [Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-missions/)
* [Search All NASA Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/)
* [A to Z List of Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/a-to-z-of-nasa-missions/)
* [Upcoming Launches and Landings](https://www.nasa.gov/events/)
* [Spaceships and Rockets](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/spaceships-and-rockets/)
* [Communicating with Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/communicating-with-missions/)
* [Artemis](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/artemis/)
* [James Webb Space Telescope](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/webb/)
* [Hubble Space Telescope](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/hubble/)
* [International Space Station](https://www.nasa.gov/international-space-station/)
* [OSIRIS-Rex](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/osiris-rex/)
### [Humans in Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/)
* [Why Go to Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/why-go-to-space/)
* [Astronauts](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/)
* [Commercial Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/commercial-space/)
* [Destinations](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/destinations/)
* [Spaceships and Rockets](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/spaceships-and-rockets/)
* [Living in Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/living-in-space/)
### [Earth](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/)
* [Explore Earth Science](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/explore)
* [Climate Change](https://science.nasa.gov/climate-change)
* [Earth, Our Planet](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/facts)
* [Earth Science in Action](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/in-action)
* [Earth Multimedia](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/multimedia)
* [Earth Data](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/data)
* [Earth Science Researchers](https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science)
### [The Solar System](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/)
* [The Sun](https://science.nasa.gov/sun/)
* [Mercury](https://science.nasa.gov/mercury/)
* [Venus](https://science.nasa.gov/venus)
* [Earth](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/facts/)
* [The Moon](https://science.nasa.gov/moon/)
* [Mars](https://science.nasa.gov/mars)
* [Jupiter](https://science.nasa.gov/jupiter)
* [Saturn](https://science.nasa.gov/saturn)
* [Uranus](https://science.nasa.gov/uranus/)
* [Neptune](https://science.nasa.gov/neptune/)
* [Pluto & Dwarf Planets](https://science.nasa.gov/dwarf-planets/)
* [Asteroids, Comets & Meteors](https://science.nasa.gov/asteroids-comets-meteors/)
* [The Kuiper Belt](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/kuiper-belt/)
* [The Oort Cloud](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/oort-cloud/)
* [Skywatching](https://science.nasa.gov/skywatching/)
### [The Universe](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/)
* [Exoplanets](https://science.nasa.gov/exoplanets/)
* [The Search for Life in the Universe](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/search-for-life/)
* [Stars](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/stars/)
* [Galaxies](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/galaxies/)
* [Black Holes](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/black-holes/)
* [The Big Bang](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/the-big-bang/)
* [Dark Energy](https://science.nasa.gov/dark-energy)
* [Dark Matter](https://science.nasa.gov/dark-matter)
### [Science](https://science.nasa.gov/)
* [Earth Science](https://science.nasa.gov/earth-science/)
* [Planetary Science](https://science.nasa.gov/planetary-science/)
* [Astrophysics & Space Science](https://science.nasa.gov/astrophysics/)
* [The Sun & Heliophysics](https://science.nasa.gov/heliophysics/)
* [Biological & Physical Sciences](https://science.nasa.gov/biological-physical)
* [Lunar Science](https://science.nasa.gov/lunar-science)
* [Citizen Science](https://science.nasa.gov/citizen-science/)
* [Astromaterials](https://science.nasa.gov/astromaterials/)
* [Aeronautics Research](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics-research/)
* [Human Space Travel Research](https://www.nasa.gov/human-space-travel-research/)
### [Aeronautics](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/)
* [Science in the Air](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/science-in-the-air/)
* [NASA Aircraft](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/aircraft/)
* [Flight Research Innovation](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/flight-innovation/)
* [Supersonic Flight](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/supersonic-flight/)
* [Air Traffic Solutions](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/air-traffic-solutions/)
* [Green Aviation Tech](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/ultra-efficient-aviation/)
* [Drones & You](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/drones-and-you/)
### [Technology](https://www.nasa.gov/technology/)
* [Technology Transfer & Spinoffs](https://www.nasa.gov/space-technology-mission-directorate/technology-transfer-spinoffs/)
* [Space Travel](https://www.nasa.gov/space-travel-technology/)
* [Living in Space](https://www.nasa.gov/space-living-technology/)
* [Lunar Surface Technology](https://www.nasa.gov/lunar-surface-technology/)
* [Manufacturing and Materials](https://www.nasa.gov/manufacturing-and-materials/)
* [Robotics](https://www.nasa.gov/robotics/)
* [Science Instruments](https://www.nasa.gov/science-instruments/)
* [Computing](https://www.nasa.gov/computing/)
### [Learning Resources](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/)
* [For Kids and Students](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-kids-and-students/)
* [For Educators](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-educators/)
* [For Colleges and Universities](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/colleges-and-universities/)
* [For Professionals](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/for-professionals/)
* [Science for Everyone](https://science.nasa.gov/for-everyone/)
* [Requests for Exhibits, Artifacts, Speakers & Flyovers](https://www.nasa.gov/requests-for-exhibits-artifacts-or-speakers/)
* [STEM Engagement at NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/stem-engagement/)
### [About NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/about/)
* [NASA's Impacts](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-impact/)
* [Centers and Facilities](https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/)
* [Directorates](https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/)
* [Organizations](https://www.nasa.gov/organization/)
* [People of NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/people-of-nasa/)
* [Careers](https://www.nasa.gov/careers/)
* [Internships](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/internship-programs/)
* [Our History](https://www.nasa.gov/history/)
* [Doing Business with NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/doing-business-with-nasa/)
* [Get Involved](https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/)
* [Contact](https://www.nasa.gov/contact-2/)
### [NASA en Espa?ol](https://www.nasa.gov/es/)
* [Ciencia](https://ciencia.nasa.gov/)
* [Aeronáutica](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-en-espanol/aeronautica-en-espanol/)
* [Ciencias Terrestres](https://ciencia.nasa.gov/tierra/)
* [Sistema Solar](https://ciencia.nasa.gov/sistema-solar)
* [Universo](https://ciencia.nasa.gov/universo)
### [News & Events](https://www.nasa.gov/news/)
* [News Releases](https://www.nasa.gov/2026-news-releases/)
* [Recently Published](https://www.nasa.gov/news/recently-published/)
* [Video Series on NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/series/)
* [Podcasts & Audio](https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts-and-audio/)
* [Blogs](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-blogs/)
* [Newsletters](https://www.nasa.gov/newsletters/)
* [Social Media](https://www.nasa.gov/social-media/)
* [Media Resources](https://www.nasa.gov/news/media-contacts/)
* [Events](https://www.nasa.gov/events)
* [Upcoming Launches & Landings](https://www.nasa.gov/event-type/launch-schedule/)
* [Virtual Guest Program](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-virtual-guest-program/)
### [Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/)
* [NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/)
* [Images](https://www.nasa.gov/images/)
* [NASA Live](https://www.nasa.gov/live)
* [NASA Apps](https://www.nasa.gov/apps/)
* [Podcasts](https://www.nasa.gov/podcasts/)
* [Image of the Day](https://www.nasa.gov/image-of-the-day/)
* [e-Books](https://www.nasa.gov/ebooks/)
* [3D Resources](https://science.nasa.gov/3d-resources/)
* [Interactives](https://www.nasa.gov/interactives/)
* [STEM Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/search/?terms=8058%2C8059%2C8061%2C8062%2C8068)
* [NASA Brand & Usage Guidelines](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-brand-center/)
### Featured
[ 6 min read ### NASA Highlights Lessons Learned From Swift Boost Mission article 4 hours ago](https://science.nasa.gov/missions/swift/nasa-highlights-lessons-learned-from-swift-boost-mission/)[ 6 min read ### What You Need to Know About NASA’s SpaceX Crew-13 Mission article 6 hours ago](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/station/commercial-crew/what-you-need-to-know-about-nasas-spacex-crew-13-mission/)[ 3 min read ### NASA’s Roman Team Confirms Ground Stations Receiving Data article 3 days ago](https://science.nasa.gov/blogs/roman/2026/09/25/nasas-roman-team-confirms-ground-stations-receiving-data/)
### Highlights
[ 2 min read ### Researchers: Help NASA Prevent Blood Clot Formation in Space article 3 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/researchers-help-nasa-prevent-blood-clot-formation-in-space/)[ 4 min read ### NASA to Study Human Health, Performance During Crew-13 Mission article 4 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nasa-to-study-human-health-performance-during-crew-13-mission/)[ 3 min read ### Risks of Decompression Sickness and Venous Thromboembolism during Spaceflight and Patent Foramen Ovale Implications article 6 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/ochmo/risks-of-decompression-sickness-and-venous-thromboembolism-during-spaceflight-and-patent-foramen-ovale-implications/)
### Highlights
[ 4 min read ### Uncovering the Valleys Hidden Below Greenland’s Ice article 18 hours ago](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/uncovering-the-valleys-hidden-below-greenlands-ice/)[ 5 min read ### Explosive Intensification for Hurricane Polo article 4 days ago](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/explosive-intensification-for-hurricane-polo/)[ 5 min read ### US-India Satellite Captures Time-lapse Video of Volcanic Eruption article 4 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/nisar/us-india-satellite-captures-time-lapse-video-of-volcanic-eruption/)
### Highlights
[ 3 min read ### Embracing the Equinox article 1 week ago](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/skywatching/night-sky-network/embracing-the-equinox/)[ 5 min read ### NASA Discovery Reveals Complex Water Systems on Early Mars article 1 week ago](https://www.nasa.gov/solar-system/planets/mars/nasa-discovery-reveals-complex-water-systems-on-early-mars/)[ 7 min read ### Helio and You: A Fresh Perspective on the Sun article 2 weeks ago](https://science.nasa.gov/helio-and-you-a-fresh-perspective-on-the-sun/)
### Featured
[ 6 min read ### NASA Highlights Lessons Learned From Swift Boost Mission article 4 hours ago](https://science.nasa.gov/missions/swift/nasa-highlights-lessons-learned-from-swift-boost-mission/)[ 2 min read ### Circling the Black Hole at the Photon Sphere article 3 days ago](https://science.nasa.gov/apod/circling-the-black-hole-at-the-photon-sphere/)[ 2 min read ### Circling the Black Hole article 3 days ago](https://science.nasa.gov/apod/circling-the-black-hole/)
### Highlights
[ 6 min read ### NASA Highlights Lessons Learned From Swift Boost Mission article 4 hours ago](https://science.nasa.gov/missions/swift/nasa-highlights-lessons-learned-from-swift-boost-mission/)[ 4 min read ### Uncovering the Valleys Hidden Below Greenland’s Ice article 18 hours ago](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/uncovering-the-valleys-hidden-below-greenlands-ice/)[ 0 min read ### MVP-Plant-02 article 2 days ago](https://science.nasa.gov/mvp-plant-02/)
### Highlights
[ 10 min read ### 2026-2027 DWU: Middle School Design Challenge article 3 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/aeronautics-stem/2026-2027-dwu-middle-school-design-challenge/)[ 9 min read ### 2026-2027 DWU: High School Engineering Challenge article 3 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/aeronautics-stem/2026-2027-dwu-high-school-engineering-challenge/)[ 4 min read ### NASA Modernizes Commercial Airline Systems article 5 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/armd/aosp/nasa-modernizes-commercial-airline-systems/)
### Highlights
[ 5 min read ### Reliable Robots: Meet Johnson’s Dexterous Robotics Team article 12 hours ago](https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/johnson/reliable-robots-meet-johnsons-dexterous-robotics-team/)[ 5 min read ### Explosive Intensification for Hurricane Polo article 4 days ago](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/earth-observatory/explosive-intensification-for-hurricane-polo/)[ 3 min read ### NASA’s Machines for Mars Make Beer Bubbly article 4 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/technology/tech-transfer-spinoffs/nasas-machines-for-mars-make-beer-bubbly/)
### Featured
[ 2 min read ### NASA Astronaut to Answer Questions from New Hampshire Students article 6 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-astronaut-to-answer-questions-from-new-hampshire-students/)[ 2 min read ### NASA Kicks Off Nationwide Effort to Prepare Tomorrow’s Space Workforce article 1 week ago](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/nasa-kicks-off-nationwide-effort-to-prepare-tomorrows-space-workforce/)[ 2 min read ### NASA’s Integrated Medical Model (IMM) article 2 weeks ago](https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasas-integrated-medical-model-imm/)
### Featured
[ 4 min read ### NASA Modernizes Commercial Airline Systems article 5 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/armd/aosp/nasa-modernizes-commercial-airline-systems/)[ 5 min read ### NASA Unveils Winning Designs for Mars Space Food Systems Challenge article 4 days ago](https://www.nasa.gov/directorates/stmd/prizes-challenges-crowdsourcing-program/centennial-challenges/nasa-unveils-winning-designs-for-mars-space-food-systems-challenge/)[ 3 min read ### NASA Celebrates as Artemis Accords Surpasses 75 Signatories article 6 hours ago](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-celebrates-as-artemis-accords-surpasses-75-signatories/)
### Highlights
[ 11 min read ### La NASA anuncia la cobertura de la misión lunar Artemis II article 6 months ago](https://www.nasa.gov/es/la-nasa-anuncia-la-cobertura-de-la-mision-lunar-artemis-ii/)[ 15 min read ### Agenda diaria de la misión a la Luna de Artemis II de la NASA article 7 months ago](https://www.nasa.gov/es/agenda-diaria-de-la-mision-a-la-luna-de-artemis-ii-de-la-nasa/)[ 6 min read ### La NASA refuerza Artemis: a?ade una misión y perfecciona su arquitectura general article 7 months ago](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/astronauts/la-nasa-refuerza-artemis-anade-una-mision-y-perfecciona-su-arquitectura-general/)
1 min read
# Space Station View of Earth at Night
HQ Web Team
Sep 28, 2026
Image Article
* [](https://x.com/intent/tweet?via=NASA&text=Space%20Station%20View%20of%20Earth%20at%20Night&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fimage-article%2Fspace-station-view-of-earth-at-night%2F)
* [](https://www.facebook.com/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fimage-article%2Fspace-station-view-of-earth-at-night%2F)
* [](https://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.nasa.gov%2Fimage-article%2Fspace-station-view-of-earth-at-night%2F)
* [](https://www.nasa.gov/feed/)
[](https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2026/09/55534901810-95d2f06788-o.jpg)
NASA/Jessica Meir
This nighttime view of the United States, dotted with city lights looking toward New York City (center), was taken at approximately 3:40 a.m. local time on Sept. 8, 2026, from the International Space Station as it orbited 259 miles above Earth.
_Image credit: NASA/Jessica Meir_
### National Aeronautics and Space Administration
NASA explores the unknown in air and space, innovates for the benefit of humanity, and inspires the world through discovery.
* [About NASA's Mission](https://www.nasa.gov/about/)
[Join Us](https://www.nasa.gov/get-involved/)
* [Home](https://www.nasa.gov/)
* [News & Events](https://www.nasa.gov/news/)
* [Multimedia](https://www.nasa.gov/multimedia/)
* [NASA+](https://plus.nasa.gov/)
* [Missions](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-missions/)
* [Humans in Space](https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/)
* [Earth](https://science.nasa.gov/earth/)
* [The Solar System](https://science.nasa.gov/solar-system/)
* [The Universe](https://science.nasa.gov/universe/)
* [Science](https://science.nasa.gov/)
* [Aeronautics](https://www.nasa.gov/aeronautics/)
* [Technology](https://www.nasa.gov/technology/)
* [Learning Resources](https://www.nasa.gov/learning-resources/)
* [About NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/about/)
* [NASA en Espa?ol (opens in new tab)](https://www.nasa.gov/es/)
### Follow NASA
* [](https://www.facebook.com/NASA)
* [](https://www.instagram.com/nasa/)
* [](https://x.com/NASA)
* [](https://www.youtube.com/@NASA)
* [More NASA Social Accounts](https://www.nasa.gov/social-media/)
* [NASA Newsletters](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-newsletters/)
* [Sitemap](https://www.nasa.gov/sitemap/)
* [For Media](https://www.nasa.gov/news/nasa-media-contacts/)
* [Privacy Policy](https://www.nasa.gov/nasa-web-privacy-policy-and-important-notices/)
* [FOIA](https://www.nasa.gov/foia/)
* [No FEAR Act](https://www.nasa.gov/no-fear-act/)
* [Office of the IG (opens in new tab)](http://oig.nasa.gov/)
* [Budget & Annual Reports](https://www.nasa.gov/budgets-plans-and-reports/)
* [Agency Financial Reports](https://www.nasa.gov/organizations/budget-annual-reports/agency-financial-reports/)
* [Contact NASA](https://www.nasa.gov/contact-nasa/)
* [Accessibility](https://www.nasa.gov/accessibility/)
* Page Last Updated: Sep 28, 2026
* Page Editor: HQ Web Team
* Responsible NASA Official: Abigail Bowman
## Was this page helpful?
Δ
Was this page helpful?
Yes
No
Submit
×
Notifications